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º£½ÇÖ±²¥ receives international recognition for its commitment to gender equality

º£½ÇÖ±²¥â€™s commitment to gender equality has been recognised with a prestigious global accreditation.

The University has received the Athena Swan Bronze award for its work to eliminate gender bias and embed an inclusive culture that values all colleagues equally. Established in 2005, the Athena Swan Charter is designed to recognise and encourage a commitment to advancing the careers of people of all gender identities in all academic disciplines, as well as those in professional, managerial and support roles in higher education and research.

º£½ÇÖ±²¥ became an Athena Swan member in 2014 and all five University schools are developing their own submissions to attain departmental Bronze awards, in addition to the institutional accreditation that is valid for five years.

The Athena Swan Strategy Group is led by Professor Stephen Cummings, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation), and the University Self-Assessment Team is chaired by Steph Bales, Director of Research and Innovation.

Professor Cummings said: ‘I am absolutely delighted that º£½ÇÖ±²¥â€™s Athena Swan Bronze award has been renewed until 2029.

‘The award is conferred based on the achievements we were able to demonstrate against our 2018 action plan, and the commitments the University has made to making a sustained impact on gender equality over the next five years.

‘I would like to thank everyone involved across the University for the time and effort they have dedicated to achieving this Bronze award. Now we begin the next phase of working towards a Silver award.’

Dr Katie Wheat, Research Culture and Policy Lead in the Research and Enterprise Office (REO), was instrumental in developing the institution’s Bronze submission in her other role as Athena Swan Coordinator.

Dr Wheat said: ‘Renewing our Bronze Athena Swan award has been a fantastic collaborative effort with colleagues from across the University.

It has been really rewarding to be part of, and I’m looking forward to working with everyone involved in implementing our action plan.’

The Athena Swan Bronze award is further recognition for º£½ÇÖ±²¥ as an employer which values high performance and realises the potential of its people.